September 30, 2020
Pre-Hearing
Day 17 from journalist @jlpassarelli: “Day 17 of the #AssangeHearing, with three days left, open justice has not been done in these proceedings. The Judge blocked 40 political and NGO observers (including @amensty & @RSF_inter) from monitoring the most important #FreeSpeech trial of the century.”
And my daily reminder that Belmarsh prison puts Assange through a five-hour ordeal every day just to take him to court which includes being handcuffed, strip-searched, and a three-hour round-trip transport. I’m wondering how many journalists and publishers out there that refuse to speak out on his behalf against this extradition request would feel if the U.S. arrested them tomorrow and put them through this punishment for simply practicing journalism. Especially those who used WikiLeaks documents in the past to bolster their work, image, or publications.
Defense Witness #30: Patrick Cockburn
Investigative journalist Patrick Cockburn’s witness statement was read today in court. According to journalist Mohamed Elmaazi, he talked about the significance of WikiLeaks including the War Logs and Collateral Murder, and that their publications “represent a great victory for freedom of expression in the face of government secrecy.”
“#WikiLeaks revelations are a sort of portal into the world as it really is as a sort of contrast to the world as governments would like to present to people” – Patrick Cockburn pic.twitter.com/35Co4m2J0n
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) February 20, 2020
Defense Witness #31: Ian Cobain
The witness statement of investigative journalist Ian Cobain (formerly at The Guardian) was read today in court. According to @DefenseAssange, Cobain’s statement included:
- In 2010, his focus was on British collusion with U.S. renditions
- Mistreatment of detainees following 9/11 (the “War on Terror”)
- Without WikiLeaks it would have been near impossible to uncover crimes
- Dangers faced by journalists for reporting on crime/abuses
- “…leaks & whistleblowing remain a vital means for state crimes to be exposed”
Defense Witness #32: Stefania Maurizi
The witness statement of Italian investigative journalist Stefania Maurizi was read in court today. You can read a full background piece on her and her work at mintpressnews.com. She worked with WikiLeaks on both the Afghan War Logs and U.S. State Department cables. She mentioned in her statement how had it not been for WikiLeaks, Italy would not have been able to prosecute CIA/US officials for extraordinary rendition (Elmaazi noted that Italy is the only country in the world that has convicted U.S. citizens in relation to renditions. Most of them were CIA officers). Maurizi also reported in her statement that WikiLeaks provided evidence that the U.S. government pressured Italian authorities over these cases.
Maurizi also brought up David Leigh/Luke Harding and the whole password debacle with the unredacted cables and “wondered if they understood the procedure at all.” Indeed, the two men not only published WikiLeaks’ password in a book, they used it as a chapter title. “Keeping passwords private is a very basic security measure,” she said. She also repeated what other witnesses have said and that’s that Assange’s hands were tied once the password was out there and he was “clearly acutely troubled by the situation.”
Defense Witness #33: Robert Boyle
The witness statement of U.S. attorney Robert Boyle was read in court. He has “written on misuse of federal grand juries,” including a focus on Chelsea Manning’s case. More from Boyle:
- Grand juries are used to pressure people into giving testimony
- Failure to cooperate can lead to imprisonment for the duration of the grand jury (Manning)
- Upon release, they can be called back again, refuse to testify again, and re-imprisoned (Manning)
- Manning was held in solitary confinement for refusing to testify
- The court then imposed on her $257,000 in fines!!
- A second statement from Boyle talked about Manning’s continued imprisonment and the “deplorable conditions” she was kept under
Defense Witness #34: Bridget Prince
Bridget Prince is a jury consultant and the Director of One World Research. Her statement was read in court today which basically stated what we all know: If Assange were to face trial in the U.S. the jury pool would come from Alexandria, Virginia, the land of all things U.S. government and Military-industrial complex. Basically everyone and everything that’s been exposed in WikiLeaks documents on some level or another.
Defense Witness #35: Witness 1
Defense Witness #36: Witness 2
Two witness statements from former employees of David Morales’ UC Global firm were read in court today. The best thing you can do is read Max Blumenthal’s article, “‘The American Friends’: New Court Files Expose Sheldon Adelson’s Security Team in US Spy Operation Against Julian Assange,” for the complete lowdown on this story which is that the CIA spied on Assange and all of his guests (including attorneys) at the Ecuadorian embassy in London via 24/7 livestream.
Update: Read Witness 1 and Witness 2’s statements HERE
The U.S. Illegally Spied on Assange and His Attorneys
The UK court refuses to dismiss the US extradition request for Assange despite the fact they illegally spied on him, breached confidential meetings between Assange and his attorneys, and plotted to kidnap or kill him. Read…
Or read the court documents from the Spanish case against David Morales:
Defense Witness #37: Noam Chomsky
Noam Chomsky’s witness statement was read today in court in which he discussed whether or not the U.S. prosecution of Assange was political. I haven’t found Chomsky’s full statement yet but you can check out journalist James Doleman’s thread:
Intro pic.twitter.com/lQd9EDXpb1
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) September 30, 2020
Defense Witness #38: Andy Worthington
Investigative journalist Andy Worthington’s witness statement was read in court today. He partnered with WikiLeaks on the Guantanamo Files and he says that the documents were extremely important and are still used today. They “revealed the anatomy of a crime of enormous proportions,” he stated.
Defense Witness #39: Jameel Jaffer
The witness statement of human and civil rights attorney Jameel Jaffer was read in court today. He is the director of the Knight First Amendment Institute. According to Doleman, “”Indictment of Mr Assange poses a grave threat to journalistic freedom, he is being prosecuted for activities that are fundamental to national security reporting such as encouraging sources and protecting their identities” and “[The Espionage Act] “is a loaded gun pointed at the head of reporters and publishers.”
Odds and Ends
A head’s up, it’s been reported that the defense may only have two more witness statements to read and that the hearing might be done tomorrow. I’m a little bummed that more time wasn’t spent on the spying in the Ecuadorian embassy but what can you do? Also, I have no idea what this means but if witness statements are now purposely being withheld (outside of medical) this is beyond shocking and absurd. However, I’m assuming it’s to make sure the statement isn’t released before the court hears it because we generally haven’t had a problem with journalists releasing the statements eventually (again, not including medical which the judge rules would not be released).
Twitter Sources
The Twitter users I followed today that I want to give a special thanks to for covering the hearing and that were used as my source material include (these guys and gals do the heavy lifting so we don’t have to):
Please note that @SMaurizi‘s witness statement was read in court today so she is back to covering the hearing.
Daily Updates
Bridges for Media Freedom Daily Court Summary: A.M. SUMMARY and P.M. SUMMARY
Richard Medhurst’s Daily Updates (video) HERE
Mohamed Elmaazi’s Daily Report HERE
@AssangeDefense’s Daily Report HERE and HERE (UC Global)
Articles
“How the Trump Admin Used a Secret Livestream to Spy on Julian Assange.” Jimmysllama via mintpressnews.com
“‘The American Friends’: New Court Files Expose Sheldon Adelson’s Security Team in US Spy Operation Against Julian Assange.” Max Blumenthal via thegrayzone.com
Of Interest
“How Did We Get Here? The Threat of Fascism in U.S.” Davey Heller via ClassConscious.org
“No more appeals to the fascist Trump! The Assange campaign must turn to the working class!” Davey Heller via ClassConscious.org
“The Darkest Corner: Special Administrative Measures and Extreme Isolation in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.” Center For Constitutional Rights
Conditions of Prison in Alexandria, VA via The Justice Campaign (Twitter thread)
“True Crime Chronicles: Inside Colorado’s Supermax Prison.” Daily Blast LIVE (video)
“Wikileaks – USA against Julian Assange (english subtitles)” via ardmediathek.de
Witnesses
- Day 1 and 2: Mark Feldstein
- Day 2: Clive Stafford-Smith
- Day 3: Paul Rogers, Trevor Timm
- Day 4: Eric Lewis (cancelled)
- Day 5: Eric Lewis
- Day 6: Eric Lewis (continued), Thomas Durkin
- Day 7: John Goetz, Daniel Ellsberg
- Day 8: John Sloboda, Carey Shenkman
- Day 9:
- Nicky Hager
- Jennifer Robinson (statement read in court, no cross-examination)
- Khaled El-Masri (statement read in court, no cross-examination)
- Carey Shenkman (continuation from day before)
- Dean Yates (statement read in court, no cross-examination)
- Day 10:
- Christian Grotthoff
- Andy Worthington (statement read by judge/unclear)
- Cassandra Fairbanks (statement read in court, no cross-examination)
- Day 11: Dr. Kopelman
- Day 12:
- Dr. Quinton Deeley
- Seena Fazel
- Dr. Catherine Humphries
- Day 13:
- Dr. Nigel Blackwood
- Dr. Sandra Crosby
- Christopher Butler (statement read in court, no cross-examination)
- John Young (statement read in court, no cross-examination)
- Day 14:
- Jakob Austein
- Patrick Eller
- Day 15:
- Yancy Ellis
- Joel Stickler
- Day 16:
- Maureen Baird
- Lindsay A. Lewis
- Day 17:
- Patrick Cockburn
- Ian Cobain
- Stefania Maurizi
- Robert Boyle
- Bridget Prince
- Witness 1
- Witness 2
- Noam Chomsky
- Andy Worthing
- Jameel Jaffer
Attorneys
- Edward Fitzgerald QC (Assange defense)
- Mark Summers QC (Assange defense)
- Jennifer Robinson (Assange defense)
- Gareth Peirce (Assange defense)
- Florence Iveson (Assange defense)
- James Lewis QC (prosecutor for the U.S.)
- Joel Smith (prosecutor for the U.S.)
- Claire Dobbin (prosecutor for the U.S.)
Documents
Defense Opening Arguments HERE
Defense Skeleton Arguments HERE and HERE
Prosecution Skeleton Arguments (photos via @MacWBishop) HERE
Prosecution Witness Bundle Including Kromberg Statement (bundle may be subject to change with each witness) HERE
Defense Witness #1 Statement: Professor Mark Feldstein HERE and HERE
Defense Witness #2 Statement: Clive Stafford-Smith HERE
Defense Witness #3 Statement: Paul Rogers HERE
Defense Witness #4 Statement: Trevor Timm HERE
Defense Witness #5 Statement: Eric Lewis
Defense Witness #6 Statement: Thomas Durkin
Defense Witness #7 Statement: John Goetz HERE
Defense Witness #8 Statement: Daniel Ellsberg HERE
Defense Witness #9 Statement: John Sloboda HERE
Defense Witness #10 Statement: Carey Shenkman HERE
Defense Witness #11 Statement: Nicky Hager HERE
Defense Witness Statement #12: Jennifer Robinson HERE
Defense Witness #13 Statement : Khaled El-Masri HERE
Defense Witness #14 Statement: Dean Yates HERE
Defense Witness #15 Statement: Christian Grotthoff HERE
Defense Witness #16 Statement: Andy Worthington HERE
Defense Witness #17 Statement: Cassandra Fairbanks HERE
Defense Witness #18 Statement: Dr. Kopelman (not released)
Defense Witness #19 Statement: Dr. Quinton Deeley (not released)
Prosecution Witness #1 Statement: Seena Fazel (not released)
Defense Witness #20: Dr. Catherine Humphries (not released)
Prosecution Witness #2 Statement: Dr. Nigel Blackwood (not released)
Defense Witness #21 Statement: Dr. Sandra Crosby (not released)
Defense Witness #22 Statement: Christopher Butler HERE
Defense Witness #23 Statement: John Young HERE
Defense Witness #24 Statement: Jakob Austein HERE
Defense Witness #25 Statement: Patrick Eller HERE
Defense Witness #26 Statement: Yancy Ellis
Defense Witness #27 Statement: Joel Stickler HERE
Defense Witness #28 Statement: Maureen Baird
Defense Witness #29 Statement: Lindsay A. Lewis
Defense Witness #30 Statement: Patrick Cockburn
Defense Witness #31 Statement: Ian Cobain
Defense Witness #32 Statement: Stefania Maurizi
Defense Witness #33 Statement: Robert Boyle
Defense Witness #34 Statement: Bridget Prince
Defense Witness #35 Statement: Witness 1 HERE
Defense Witness #36 Statement: Witness 2 HERE
Defense Witness #37 Statement: Noam Chomsky
Defense Witness #38 Statement: Andy Worthingon HERE
Defense Witness #39 Statement: Jameel Jaffer
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